📖

The Justice and Mercy of God

The Cross: Penal Substitution

Day 121of 180
Week 25of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how God's justice and mercy are both satisfied through Christ's sacrifice

2

Explain the concept of penal substitution in age-appropriate terms

3

Develop a deeper appreciation for God's redemptive plan

📖 Scripture Connection

Romans 3:25-26

“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”

— Romans 3:25-26 (WEB)

Demonstrates how God maintains His justice while offering mercy through Christ

📦 Materials Needed

  • Bible (World English Bible)
  • Notebook
  • Colored pencils
  • BibleMouse Theology Worksheet
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Begin with a storytelling approach about a judge who loves the person being judged but must uphold the law

💭 Review Question: What did we learn about God's response to sin in our last lesson?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explore how God can be both just (punishing sin) and merciful (providing salvation)

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Sin requires punishment - God's holiness demands justice
  • God's love provides a way of escape through Jesus
  • Jesus takes our punishment so we can receive mercy
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What does justice mean?
  • How is God's mercy different from simply ignoring sin?
3Activity: The Great Exchange Worksheet (12 min)
interactive discussion

Complete the BibleMouse Theology Worksheet exploring the concept of penal substitution

📝 Instructions:
  1. Read the scripture passages together
  2. Fill out the worksheet sections
  3. Discuss your understanding as a family
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use the BibleMouse illustrated worksheet with simpler language

Challenge: Research additional Bible verses about God's justice and mercy

4Closing (3 min)

Recap the key concepts of God's justice and mercy

📝 Review Questions:
  • How does the cross show both God's justice and mercy?
  • Why did Jesus have to die for our sins?
🙏 Prayer:

Thank God for His perfect plan of salvation that satisfies both His justice and mercy

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore more about God's wrath against sin

💎 Memory Verse

Romans 3:25-26

“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”

— Romans 3:25-26 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Justice and Mercy Scale Drawing - Create a visual balance scale where 'God's Justice' is on one side and 'God's Mercy' on the other, connected by the cross in the middle

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Penal substitution is a complex theological concept - focus on age-appropriate understanding

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use concrete examples to explain abstract concepts
  • Be patient with questions and confusion
  • Emphasize God's love throughout the discussion
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may find it difficult to understand how God can be both just and merciful

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Signs of understanding include asking thoughtful questions and making connections

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a visual art piece representing God's justice and mercy
  • Write a short story or poem about the cross
  • Listen to BibleMouse Song Collection tracks about God's redemption

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 122 →Back to Bible